John Humphrys BLASTS Sadiq Khan for refusing interviews on London knife deaths

BBC host John Humphrys revealed UK Government officials, the Metropolitan Police and London mayor Sadiq Khan all refused to be interviewed by the BBC over the rising number of knife crime-related murders in the capital.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, Mr Humphrys said he tried to obtain interviews with the Metropolitan Police and Sadiq Khan to discuss the rising number of deaths in the capital but had no success.

He said: “We ourselves want to talk to the Government. We asked the Home Office for an interview, we also asked the Metropolitan Police for an interview.

“We asked the Mayor of London for an interview.

“None of them wanted to talk to us.”

Speaking to Mr Humphrys on Thursday, Labour MP David Lammy also criticised the Mayor of London and the Home Office for failing to comment London’s death toll.

Mr Lammy called for a political consensus to deal with the rising violence.

He said: “What I am saying is we are not debating this in Parliament.

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John Humphrys calls out Government and Sadiq Khan over refusing to be interviews on London deaths

“Look, I have had four deaths. I have not had a phone call from the Home Secretary.

“I have not had a phone call from the Mayor. No one has come to my constituency. This is happening across London at large.

“Frankly I am sick of the political football. What I want is a political consensus.”

After suffering huge criticism from members of all political parties including Labour, Sadiq Khan finally responded to the accusations he was not stepping up.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told Express.co.uk: “The Mayor is shocked and angered by the violent deaths on the streets of London this year.

“He is heartbroken that so many of those taken have been young lives – and his thoughts are with their friends and family at this difficult time.

We asked for the Mayor of London for an interview, no one wanted to talk to us

John Humphrys

“The police are doing everything they can to catch those responsible and bring them to justice and patrols have already been stepped up and extra stop-and-search powers are in place in the worst-hit parts of London.”

Responding to Mr Lammy’s comments, Mr Khan’s spokesperson said: “The Mayor’s door is always open to MPs who want to discuss vital issues in the capital and he frequently visits boroughs right across London to see what’s happening on the ground – and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Policing have been out with the police on knife sweeps this year.

“Knife crime is an issue across London and the country – and one that the Mayor takes extremely seriously.

“The safety of Londoners is his number one priority.

“We are focusing all our energy and resources on bringing those responsible to justice and Sadiq refuses to accept that nothing can be done to stem the appalling tide of violent killings. He is determined to work ceaselessly to stop it.”

Sadiq Khan later tweeted: “I‘m angered and heartbroken by the recent violent deaths on our streets. Met police patrols have already been increased and extra stop-and-search powers are in place.”

In a statement, the Mayor added: “Let me be clear - there is no reason to carry a knife. To anyone who does - they will be caught, and they will feel the full force of the law. 35 people have been charged for murder offences occurring during 2018 so far.

“We need communities, families, friends and neighbours to give us the information we need to bring these criminals to justice.”